Communities Divided on Sexual Politics

Kim Jong-uk of Chingusai said gays and straights need to put more effort to break social barriers between them.

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Stories about men loving men and women loving women are nothing new. Homosexuals have existed throughout history and so has hatred for it.

There are historical reports of gays and lesbians. The word lesbian came from a Greek female poet who loved women and cherished her life as a woman-lover. In Korean history, there is evidence of homosexuality. King Gongmin and Hyegong of the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) allegedly enjoyed relationships with young men, some historians said, citing records such as the Goryeosa (The history of Goryeo).

However, punishment on homosexuals has always existed throughout history. In the Middle Ages in Europe, gays were burnt and the Nazis, during the holocaust considered them inferior to Jews. Some in the medical field consider it mental disease. In Korea, at military camps, when a soldier is identified as being homosexual, he is admitted to a mental hospital and must go under treatment to heal his ``perverted'' sexuality.

Up until now, gay people, who should be happy as the name implies, are not always happy. Gay rights group's state that one out of every hundred people may be homosexual but merely one percent of them acknowledge their sexuality because they sometimes face social discrimination.

The treatment toward the homosexuals is quite severe. Christians and others say they are sinful and unacceptable in the name of God and are against nature. The National Human Rights Commission last year announced that gay soldiers are maltreated in their camps and are classified as those to watch over.

There is also misconception toward them. They were accused of spreading AIDS, which was later revealed to be equally prevalent amongst straight people with multiple partners who do not wear protection during sexual intercourse. Some psychologists have said homosexuality is a disease that can be cured.

It wasn't until 2000 when actor Hong Suk-cheon made a comment on a television program that he was in a serious relationship with a man that the Korean public engaged in public debate on gay people. Hong, who later held a press conference about his sexual identity, was isolated from the entertainment industry at the peak of his career.

He later told online media Dokebi news that he was nearly terrorized by Christians, journalists and people around him. ``There were some friends who stopped calling me. No one offered me a job anymore and I just had to stand by own all of a sudden,'' he said.

Hong is not alone anymore. Seven years after his coming out, there are several more people who have declared themselves as gay. Fashion consultant Hwang Eui-gun, filmmakers Kim Jo Gwang-su and Lee Song Hee-il all publicly said they are gay. After their statements, which required lots of courage, fans and supporters welcomed them.

These days, it is the mass media that bring the so-called ``homos'' much closer to the public. Box office mega hit ``The King and Clown,'' ``Road Movie,'' ``No Regret 2006,'' and small screen hit ``Coffee Prince'' and ``Jumong'' portrayed some aspects of gays in Korea. They had trouble with their identities at first, but accepted it and paved their own way through it.

Chosun Ilbo and Hankyoreh reported on gay couples who live with their parents and raise a family. In the reports, the ``happy couple'' said their family and friend were supportive.

Lee Jong-heon of Chingusai said gays are easily discriminated from the society, which makes them hide away more.

``It is true that many people these days do not freak out or look down on us that much,'' said Kim, a member of the nation's largest gay rights group Chingusai who refused to reveal his full name. When he first joined the group ten years ago, he said not many people had a concept of being gay _ a man loving another man sexually.

However, he said he still feels the barrier between heterosexuals and homosexuals in society. ``It is a vicious circle. We hide ourselves because of prejudice and discrimination and therefore people do not see us. They do not see us, so they can't understand us,'' he said. The group holds an annual rainbow festival and other events, but they barely invite the media or the public to join. Kim explained that the fear of being ``outed'' (being identified as being gay by other people)'' pulls them back from trying to associate with ordinary people. ``Some people identify us with just a simple snap shot and rumors and all the prejudices mount up,'' he said.

Lee Jong -heon, an incumbent representative of Chingusai, said the number of gays who came out may look as if it has increased, but in reality it is restricted to people who have professional jobs, run their own business or work in the art-related field. ``In the real world, gays feel much pressure to conceal their sexual identity,'' he said.

Lee said usually the biggest obstacle is immediate family. He said those who managed to find life partners and get their families' approval do not like to reveal themselves publicly and live a very discrete life. ``Usually in those cases, their families would not like other people to know that,'' he said. Lee himself told his brothers and some friends about his life, but couldn't tell his family.

``Most people fear that their sex life may be a burden to families and relatives so they just keep to themselves. Sometimes, parents don't approve or accept that their children are different from others _ not able to raise a normal family.

In a lesbian's case, it's worse. A counselor at the Lesbian Counseling Center in South Korea said lesbians have a double bias on them _ being homosexual and being a woman. ``Therefore, we are more than careful when talking to the media than a non-homosexuals' approach. Our institution is in touch with dozens of lesbian communities but we are always cautious of possible leaks of private information or speaking out too loud,'' she explained when asked why they do not hold public events to draw public attention to their rights.

Recently, society has attempted to open up to homosexuals and homosexuals are trying to narrow their gap, too. The government has recently introduced a revised bill to ban discrimination against people who are different from others, which includes sexual behavior. In line with the bill, the gay rights network plans two major projects.

First is to have an education program for teenage gays. ``Teaching them that they are not strange but just gay is extremely important,'' Lee said.

Also, they plan to hold a campaign for society to accept more ``alternative families.'' Lee said many gay couples want to adopt children. ``We expect the project will be completed in about 10 years,'' he said. The group expects the family system to help Koreans understand the concept of gays being ordinary.

However, some Koreans still feel uncomfortable having homosexuality in their lives. A group of professors and some civic group leaders announced that they are opposed to the government's bill banning discrimination. Most of the campaigners are Christians who believe homosexuality is a sin, and needs to be classified as a ``must-not.''

Prof. Kang Shin-hoo at Seoul National University said the country doesn't need to acknowledge gays in society yet. He said banning education concerning homosexuality will allow more ``confused'' teenagers to define themselves as gay. ``During adolescence, some students are just not sure. It doesn't mean they are gay. But not educating them on the possibility will make them think they are gay. We are against punishing gays, but we are also against encouraging sexual behavior that does not lead to reproduction or is not approved by our religion,'' he said.

However, to many people's surprise, gays welcomed the straight man's announcement. ``So, finally, they are acknowledging our existence. For decades, we've been trying to tell them that we were born gay and gays are everywhere, but are always treated us as if we are not here. In a way, it's bittersweet that they are finally showing some response,'' Kim said.

So why do people disapprove of homosexuality? Why is there hatred towards gay men in society? ``Maybe, it's because many people felt it once in their lives,'' Lee joked. ``I say they fear something they do not know but dare not experience,'' Kim said.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr